Local Historical Societies and Related Organizations of Interest to Those Who Study the History of Pelham, NY

Please visit the Historic Pelham Web site

Located at http://www.historicpelham.com

There are many local organizations that welcome members interested in the history of Pelham, NY. Today's posting will discuss a few of those organizations and will provide information regarding how to join each of them.

The Pelham Preservation & Garden Society

The Pelham Preservation & Garden Society is a not-for-profit organization organized in 1999 for the purpose of fostering Pelham's unique aesthetic and historical character. The organization is devoted, as its Web site says, to promoting "the preservation and restoration of historic structures and green spaces in the Town of Pelham". The Society's Web site is located at: http://www.pelhampreservationsociety.com/.

Many members of the Society are passionately devoted to the history of Pelham and surrounding areas. Among the many projects with which the organization currently is involved are the following:

Pelham Historic Architecture Plaque Program - The Society is engaged in a program to recognize local homes of architectural note that meet requirements established by the New York Historic Preservation Office (houses must be at least 50 years old, within town limits, preserved or restored in a historically-sensitive manner, and materials authentic to the period of construction should be used whenever possible with changes complementary to the original structure).

Restoration of the Highbrook Gates - When the neighborhood known as Pelhamwood was devloped in the early 20th century, Clifford B. Harmon & Co. defined the boundaries of the new subdivision with architectural enhancements that included the Highbrook Avenue Gates at the intersection of Highbrook Avenue and Pelhamwood Avenue. The gates have never been restored and have deteriorated in the last 95 years. The Society raised the funds to restore the gates and has supervised the project through the approval process and the construction process. This project is nearing completion.

Metro North Train Station Landscaping and Beautification - Metro North recently restored the Pelham Train Station area. In connection with that project, the Society worked with the Village of Pelham and Metro North to install new plantings in and around the area.

"Pelham by Design" Book Collection at the Town Library - The Society has selected and purchased more than two dozen notable volumes dealing with topics including architectural history, restoration, preservation, landscaping, gardening and more. The books are maintained in a special section of the Town of Pelham Public Library.

Nomination of Pelham's Downtown Area To Become A National Historic District - The Society is engaged in a long term project to recognize the wonderful collection of late 19th and early 20th century architectural gems that sit along Wolfs Lane and Fifth Avenue in downtown Pelham. The New York State Historic Preservation Office has made a preliminary determination that the area qualifies for designation as a state and national historic district. The Society is enaged in a project to prepare the listing nomination for the district.

There are many more such projects discussed on the Society's Web site. If you would like to join and to become involved with the Society, please visit the membership page on the Society's Web page to learn how.

The Westchester County Historical Society

Founded in 1874, the Westchester County Historical Society is a member-based non-profit organization. Its mission is to collect and preserve books and pamphlets, maps, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers and periodicals pertaining to the history of Westchester County, to promote the knowledge and understanding of that history, and to advocate the preservation of the county's architectural heritage. The Society's Web site is located at: http://www.westchesterhistory.com/.

The WCHS's massive library, located in the Westchester County Records and Archives Center in Elmsford, NY, contains over 100,000 books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, maps, atlases and pictures.

The Society also publishes a spectacular quarterly journal devoted to the history of the County entitled Westchester Historian. The journal periodically contains articles relating to the history of Pelham and surrounding areas.

If you would like to join and to become involved with the Society, please visit the membership page on the Society's Web site.

The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and Carriage House

The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and Carriage House is located at 895 Shore Road in the Bronx. It once stood within the boundaries of the Town of Pelham, but the area was annexed by New York City during the 1890s. Bartow-Pell's Web site is located at: http://www.bartowpellmansionmuseum.org/.

Bartow-Pell has close ties to Pelham and, as its name would suggest, is intertwined with the history of the Town. It is a National Register Site, a New York State Landmark and a New York City Landmark. Bartow-Pell sponsors a host of wonderful programs each month.

If you would like to become a Friend of the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum or participate in the ongoing restoration of the Mansion and grounds through a contribution to the Bartow-Pell Landmark Fund, please visit the organization's membership page on its Web site.

The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society

The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society is a membership organization that maintains a massive library collection at its headquarters located at 122 East 58th Street in New York City. It produces two regular publications (The Record and The Researcher) and maintains and provides access to wonderful databases related to the history of New York and family genealogical data. The Society's Web site is located at: http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/.

The Society was established in 1869. It remains one of the most respected and notable such organizations in the United States. If you would like to join the Society and benefit from its many collections and databases, please visit the organization's membership page on its Web site.

The New-York Historical Society

The New-York Historical Society, of course, is the Grandaddy of all such organizations in New York. Founded in 1804, the Society maintains its wonderful collections and research facilities at its headquarters located at 170 Central Park West in New York City.

The Society's facilities and its collections are a major New York City Museum. The research facilities likewise are the finest of their sort in the State and likely in the Country. For those interested in the history of the State or the history of any locality within the State, The New-York Historical Society is the center of the World. Its Web site is located at: http://www.nyhistory.org/.

There are many ways to support the organization in addition to joining as a member. To learn about membership and other ways to help The New-York Historical Society, please visit the organization's membership page on its Web site.

Please visit the Historic Pelham Web site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com